Apparatus for assembling shoe parts

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for covering shoe parts, such as molded insoles particularly, in which a frame has supported thereon a screw wiper arranged behind a pair of adjacent frusto-conical inner and outer pulling rolls. A presser means, such as a presser disk, is supported on a piston rod of a pressure cylinder containing a labyrinthine piston, the pressure cylinder being located below the screw wiper and pulling rolls, and movable in an axis parallel to the line of engagement of the pulling rolls.

United States Patent [191 Jancik et al.

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING SHOE PARTS Inventors: Frantisek Jancik; JosefPolach, both of Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia SVIT, narodni podnik,Gottwaldova, Czechoslovakia Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 Appl. No.: 349,313

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 7, 1972 Czechoslovakia 2312-72US. Cl. l2/24.5, 12/8.3 Int. Cl. A43b 5/12, A43b 13/28 Field of Search12/1 B, 8.3, 24.5, 1 R

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1907 Eaton l2/24.5

[45] Aug. 13, 1974 2,400,074 5/1946 Christiansen 12/24.5 2,576,12111/1951 Kamborign 12/8.3 3,561,027 2/1971 Dunlap et a1. l2/8.3

Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-MurraySchaffer [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for covering shoe parts, such as moldedinsoles particularly, in which a frame has supported thereon a screwwiper arranged behind a pair of adjacent frusto-conical inner and outerpulling rolls. A presser means, such as a presser disk, is supported ona piston rod of a pressure cylinder containing a labyrinthine piston,the pressure cylinder being located below the screw wiper and pullingrolls, and movable in an axis parallel to the line of engagement of thepulling rolls.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PMENTEB N 1 3 I 74 SHEEI 1 BF 2 APPARATUSFOR ASSEMBLING SHOE PARTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to apparatus for covering shoe parts, and in particular toapparatus for joining molded insoles and the like.

Up to the present, the covering of shoe parts such as molded insoles andthe like, has largely been accomplished with hand tools such as properlyarranged hammers, polishers and the like. The use of hand tools is hardwork and also has low production levels. Moreover, hand tools of thistype cause painful bruises to the operators hands. On the other hand,bordering machines are used for covering only those types of moldedinsoles having a rigid core. Generally, such bordering machines havereciprocable wipingfingers which bend only the margin of the coveringmaterial as a result of the fingers oscillatory movement. These machinesare, however, quite complicated and expensive and their productivecapacity insufficient. In addition, the operators of such machines mustemploy considerable energy when feeding the material to such machines.Furthermore, these machines are extremely noisy.

Machines for covering shoe parts. are also known where the shoe partsare pressed against and into a soft, elastic pad, such machines beingsuitable for covering only relatively rigid parts which are resistant toundesirable deformation.

Machines are also known which are suitable for covering rigid skeletonshoe partsor elements, such as, for example, wiping the margin of theshoe upper when lasting. Such machines generally include working meanswhich consist of a screw wiper, arranged behind a pair of adjacentfrusto-conical pulling rolls. When using this type of machine, theoperator has to constantly guide and feed the workpiece, that-is, thelast with the lasted shoe upper. Thishas a distinct disadvantage.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus forcovering shoe parts which obviates the aforementioned disadvantages.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for coveringshoe parts employing a presser means located under the screw wiper andpulling rolls to feed and guide the workpiece.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus forcovering shoe partsemploying a presser means supported on a pressurecylinder including a piston and rod associated therewith, located underthe screw wiper and pulling rolls to feed and guide the workpiece.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provideapparatus for covering shoe parts employing a presser means supported ona pressure cylinder having associated therewith a labyrinthine pistonsupported on a piston rod, the pressure cylinder being located under thescrew wiper and pulling rolls.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings which are to betaken in conjunction therewith.

SUMMARY' OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention anapparatus for coveringshoe parts such as molded inner soles is providedcomprising a frame, a-screw wiper supported on the frame located behinda. pair of adjacent frusto-conical inner and outer pulling rollssupported on the frame, and presser means supported beneath the screwwiper, the presser means to urge the inner sole assembly against andinto the pulling rolls. The presser means is preferably a disk freelyrotatable and movable upwardly on an axis parallel to the engagingsurface lines of the pair of pulling rolls.

Preferably, the pressure disk is forced or biased by a pressure cylinderincluding a piston arrangement supported on the frame below the pullingrolls. Preferably, a guide is also provided for the insole assembly. Theside backing edge of the guide is parallel to the axis of pressurecylinder. The guide also has an upper triangular portion which fills thespace between the inner and outer pulling rolls and the screw wiper.Alternately, the outer pulling roller may. be provided with a plumbpoint member conjointly rotatable with it. Further, at a level equal tothe bottom edge of the inner pulling roll there is arranged an infeedguide foot. The pressure. means, such as a pressure disk, is supportedon the piston rod of the pressure cylinder, which also defines the axisof rotation and directional axis of force of the pressure disk.

Full details of the present invention are set forth in the followingdescription and in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric elevational view of an apparatus of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view partially in section of the apparatus inFIG. 1, showing in greater detail the working mechanism thereof;

FIG; 3 is a partial isometric view of the working mechanism of theapparatus of FIG. 1 and showing an insole assembly under construction;

FIG. 4 is a plan view shown partly in cross-section through the pullingrolls and the insole assembly;

FIG. 5 is a partial view in elevation of the pulling rolls showing amodified guide partially in section;

' FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a molded insole assembly before beingjoined with the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through an insole after covering withthe apparatus of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularlyto FIG. 1, the apparatus according to the invention includes a frame 1on which there is rotatably mounted an inner pulling roll 2 and an outerpulling roll 3, as shown more particularly in FIG. 2. The pulling rolls2 and 3 comprise counter-rotating frusto-conically shape heads havingtheir surfaces splined or threaded and are arranged to be mutuallyengagable along parallel surface lines 4 and 5 with the coveringmaterial M of the inner sole assembly S, as shown more particularly inFIG. 5. The pulling rolls are mounted at the end of a verticallyreciprocable shaft and their position is adjustable by means of screw 6shown in FIG. 2. At a level even or coplanar with the bottom edge of theinner pulling roll 2 and outer pulling roll 3'as shown more clearly inFIGS. 2 and 3, there is rotatablymounted a helical screw wiper 7, whichis disposed horizontally in the frame I and is axially adjustable bymeans of screw 8. The shafts of the screw wiper 7, inner pulling roll 2and outer pulling roll 3 are connected with conventional transmissionmeans such as gears and belts to suitable motor drive means, not shown,so that they cooperate to continuously pull the material M, bend it overthe core V of the inner sole and by action of the wiper 7 to flatten andpress the bent edge firmly into place on the core, while turning theassembly S about its periphery.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, a pressure disk 9 is freely rotatablyand reciprocably mounted beneath screw wiper 7. The pressure disk 9 isfastened to a piston rod 10 on which a labyrinth sealed piston 11 isdisposed, the piston rod and labyrinthine piston being reciprocablylocated in a double acting pressure cylinder 12. Pressure cylinder 12 ismounted in a tilted position with respect to frame 1 by bolts 13, beingtilted to a position such that the upward axis of movement of disk 9defined by rod 10, is parallel to the mutual engaging surface lines 4and 5 of the pulling rolls (FIG. 5).

The conical shape of the face of the pressure disk 9 is formed tocorrespond to the shape of the molded insols S to be covered. Actuationof the cylinder 12 will draw the pressure disk 9 toward or away from theplanar frontal edges of the pulling rolls 2 and 3, and is adjustable tocompress a molded insole S formed of a core V and covering M for itagainst the pulling roll 2. The conical face of the disk 9 is shaped sothat in cooperation with the pulling roll 2 the shape of the insole S ismaintained.

The pressure cylinder 12 is provided inlet conduits 14 and 15 to supplya suitable fluid pressure medium thereto. The conduits 14 and 15 areconnected to a valve distributor which is controlled by a foot lever 16as shown in FIG. 1, and includes means for continuously exerting thepressure on the piston 11 in either direction depending on actuation ofthe foot lever 16, to thus lock the piston in one or the other directionin use. The fluid pressure medium is sufficiently resilient to hold thematerial without damage and is therefore self-adjustable to the actualthickness of the insole assembly.

A guide 17 (FIG. 4) is fastened to the frame and extends under the outerpulling roll 3. The frontal edge 18 of the guide against which thematerial backs is parallel to the axis of the piston rod 10 of thepressure cylinder l2 and its upper part 19 is triangular shaped to fillthe space between the outer pulling roll 3, inner pulling roll 2 andscrew wiper 7. The backing edge 18 of the guide. may be replaced by aconical member such as the pointed plumb 21, as shown in FIG. 5 which isarranged on the same shaft as and is simultaneously rotated with, theouter pulling roll 3. Minor modification of the guide 17 is onlynecessary in this form.

In front of the inner pulling roll 2 and level with its bottom edgethere is mounted on the frame 1 a guide foot 20.

The covered insole S formed by the apparatus of the present invention isseen in FIGS. 6 and 7 and comprises a core V such as foamed plastic,leather, rubber or the like, covered by a layer of material M such asplastic, leather, composition paper, etc. Before the covering operationtakes place, the covering material M is provided with a suitableadhesive. The core V can be likewise provided with adhesive if desirableor neces sary.

The various mechanical linkages and movements not shown in detail in theapparatus of this invention are well known elements normally utilized inmachine design and may be varied in construction to provide suitablemachine parts useful in the apparatus of this invention.

The apparatus described operates as follows:

A source of power such as an electric motor is energized and the screwwiper 7, the inner pulling roll 2, the outer pulling roll 3 begin torotate, the latter rotating in a direction opposite to the former. Theoperator takes the core V, which was previously concentrically laid onthe covering material M and bends the part of the shank margin slightlytowards the side wall of the core V. The so prepared molded insole isthen put on the pressure disk 9, which is, at this time in itsbottommost position. The bent margin of the covering material M is thenpushed between the rotating inner pulling roll 2 and the outer pullingroll 3 by the operator, who simultaneously depresses the foot lever 16.The valve distributor is thus caused to move the pressure disk 9 intothe position by the supply of pressure medium beneath the labyrinthpiston 11 through the inlet conduit 15. The piston 11 is allowed to flowto waste from pipe conduit 14. The pressure disk 9 then urges the moldedinsole assembly S against the screw wiper 7, as well as against theupper part 19 of the guide 17, and against the foot 20. The innerpulling roll 2 and the outer pulling roll 3 being continuously rotatingpull the margin of the covering material M and simultaneously feed thenot yet covered part of the molded insole circumference between them.The shape of the pressure disk 9, when locked into its pressure actuatedposition by the valve means, keeps the molded insole S pressed againstthe screw wiper 7. The molded insole S is simultaneously urged againstthe side edge 18 of the guide 17. Feeding of the molded insole S aboutits periphery is thus fully mechanised during the entire coveringoperation. The operator, having inserted the molded insole assembly Sinto the machine, needs only keep the foot lever 16 in its depressedposition, thus leaving his hands free for preparation of the next moldedinsole. After being wiped, (i.e., moved about its periphery) the marginof the covering material M is firmly attached to the upper surface ofthe core V along the whole circumference of the molded insole and theoperator may then allow the foot lever 16 to return to startingposition. The valve distributor returns into its original position andthe pressure disk 9 is caused to move into the bottom position of itsstroke and the completely covered molded insole assembly S is freed andmay be removed. This cycle may then be repeated with another prepreparedinsole assembly.

The valve distributor can also be controlled automatically. For example,a pneumatic sensor may be employed to accomplish this by sensing airflow streaming above the edge of folding covering material when placedbetween the rolls 2 and 3 by the operator. At the moment, when this airflow is interrupted by the margin of the covering material, which passesbetween the inner pulling roll 2 and the outer pulling roll 3, thepneumatic sensor sends a signal to operate the valve distributor, as ifit were done by depressing and releasing the foot lever 16, indicatedabove.

During the covering operation, pressure disk 9 rolls along the moldedinsole S. Rotary movement of this pressure disk 9 is accomplished bymounting of the labyrinth piston 11 so that its urging against thematerial causes it to freely rotate. The labyrinth groove system of thepiston 11 keeps a preponderant amount of the pressure sealed in thespace of the cylinder 12 and prevents it from substantial leakage. Onlya small amount of the pressure medium passes through the system oflabyrinth grooves and this is drained to waste by way of the opposingconduits 14 and 15. Suitable seal rings, brass plastic etc., may be usedin the grooves of the labyrinth piston head.

The upper part 19 of the guide 17 prewipes the margin of the coveringmaterial M immediately behind the engaging points of the inner pullingroll 2 and outer pulling roll 3, thus resulting in improved wiping ofthe molded insole S.

The foot 20 prevents undesirable deformations of the core V, especiallyif the core is made of soft material, such as foam rubber.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is particularly adaptable andadvantageous when employing covering materials which having a sensitivesurface such as coated leathers, laminate plastics, etc., the guide 17is provided with a hole through which the point 21 of the outer pullingroll 3 passes. Consequently, when covering is taking place, the faceside of the covering material M thus rolls along the conical surface ofthe point 21, at minimum levels of friction and abrasion.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the advantages and objects ofthe present invention are simply obtained and an assembly of parts suchas those necessary to form the insole can be easily and swiftly joinedtogether with minimum effort and a high degree of rapidity. Theadvantageous effects of the apparatus according to the invention residesin the fact that the pressure disk which is caused to move by theresilient pressure medium, urges the molded insole against the screwwiper according to the immediate thickness of the molded insole. Thelabyrinth sealed piston enables free rolling of the pressure disk alongthe molded insole, which ensures continuous feeding by carrying thelower surface of the assembly. The side backing edge of the guide has aninclination, corresponding to the engaging surface lines of the pullingrolls, which enables the molded insole to be guided accurately at eachpoint of the pressure disk raising movement. The upper part of the guidehelps to prewipe the covering material immediately behind the pullingrolls and before the screw wiper. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, theconical surface of the outer pulling roll point forms a rolling backingedge of the molded insole and thus prevents the surface coating of thecovering material from becoming damaged.

Various changes, modifications and other manipula tions will be obviousto those skilled in this art. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended tobe illustrative only and not limiting of the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for covering shoe parts, such as molded inner soles,comprising a frame, a screw wiper supported on said frame, a pair ofadjacent frusto-conical inner and outer pulling rolls supported on saidframe in front of said wiper, said rolls having a mutual line ofengagement for the material of said inner sole, presser means mountedbeneath said screw wiper, means comprising a piston and pressurecylinder for urging said presser means toward and away from said pullingrollers, said presser means being mounted at the end of a piston rodfixed to said piston, said rod defining the axis of rotation andmovement to be rotatable and movable upwardly on an axis parallel to themutual line of engagement of said pair of pulling rolls to press saidinner sole toward said screw wiper.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the piston cylinderarrangement includes a labyrinthine piston disposed in the pressurecylinder.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the presser means is adisk.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 including a guide supported on theframe, the backing edge of said guide being parallel to the axis ofpressure cylinder and the rod associated therewith.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the guide has a triangularupper portion which fills the space between the pulling rolls and thescrew wiper.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 including a plumb point mountedcoaxially on the outer pulling roll, to rotate therewith and to form abacking guide.

planar with its bottom edge thereof.

1. Apparatus for covering shoe parts, such as molded inner soles,comprising a frame, a screw wiper supported on said frame, a pair ofadjacent frusto-conical inner and outer pulling rolls supported on saidframe in front of said wiper, said rolls having a mutual line ofengagement for the material of said inner sole, presser means mountedbeneath said screw wiper, means comprising a piston and pressurecylinder for urging said presser means toward and away from said pullingrollers, said presser means being mounted at the end of a piston rodfixed to said piston, said rod defining the axis of rotation andmovement to be rotatable and movable upwardly on an axis parallel to themutual line of engagement of said pair of pulling rolls to press saidinner sole toward said screw wiper.
 2. The apparatus according to claim1 wherein the piston cylinder arrangement includes a labyrinthine pistondisposed in the pressure cylinder.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the presser means is a disk.
 4. The apparatus according to claim1 including a guide supported on the frame, the backing edge of saidguide being parallel to the axis of pressure cylinder and the rodassociated therewith.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein theguide has a triangular upper portion which fills the space between thepulling rolls and the screw wiper.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1including a plumb point mounted coaxially on the outer pulling roll, torotate therewith and to form a backing guide.
 7. The apparatus accordingto claim 1 including a foot guide located in front of the inner pullingroll coplanar with its bottom edge thereof.